Payman is set to become first Wheaton men's tennis player in program's 18-year history to attend NCAA Championship

May 8, 2007

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College senior standout Payum Payman (Pleasant Valley, NY/Arlington) recently learned of his selection to the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championship, as he is set to become the school's first men's tennis player in the program's 18-year history to attend a national championship meet.

In an event that will be held at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center in St. Louis, Missouri, the three-day individual championship is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 18 at 9:00 a.m. Payman was just one of 32 singles players named, as the criteria is based on won-lost record, strength of schedule and eligibility and availability of student-athletes. He is marked as the seventh seed out of the Northeast.

Payman, who has already enjoyed a successful spring that has included being selected New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Year in addition to earning Wheaton's Senior Athletic Award during last week's annual athletics banquet, is the program's most decorated player. Leading the Lyons to a third straight conference tournament championship, Payman is a seven-time all-conference performer and was the 2004 NEWMAC Rookie of the Year.

Boasting a season record of 19-5 while currently riding an 11-match winning streak, including a pair of triumphs over the 12th-ranked player from conference power Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Payman surpassed 100 career victories earlier this spring. With a 119-50 combined singles and doubles mark during his illustrious four-year career, Payman is 65-22 in singles action.

A two-year captain, Payman completed his junior season ranked 34th nationally and ninth in the Northeast according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). He was also half of a doubles tandem ranked ninth in the region following his sophomore and junior years.

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